Things You'll Need:
- Moisturizer
- Sunless-tanning lotion containing DHA
- Latex gloves
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Step 1
Apply a trusted moisturizer to your skin before you fake bake, concentrating on drier areas, such as the knees, elbows, wrists and ankles. If improperly moisturized, your skin may absorb more DHA, resulting in an uneven or splotchy tan. Remember to moisturize between fake bake sessions as well.
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Step 2
Apply fake bake products--gels, lotions, creams and sprays--on your own. Wear a pair of latex gloves to avoid staining your palms, creating an odd look and revealing that your tan is not natural. Apply these products sparingly at first, in light and even coats, to determine whether or not the color will look natural.
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Step 3
Get a fake bake in a sunless-tanning machine, which offers a quick and thorough application of DHA to your entire body. These machines resemble shower stalls and are located in a variety of places, including tanning salons, gyms, cruise ships and other convenient locations. Note that some people feel slightly claustrophobic when using this type of tanning process.
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Step 4
Use airbrushing techniques to receive a fake bake tan. When used by a trained technician, an airbrush gun can create a natural and seamless tan that can fool most people. This process may be fairly time-consuming, however, as well as expensive, because it is so labor-intensive.
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Step 5
Avoid bathing for 3 to 4 hours after you fake bake. The chemical reaction of the DHA and the amino acids in your skin doesn't begin for at least 1 hour after application, so you may need to wear loose-fitting clothing during this period as well.
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Step 6
Maintain your fake bake tan by re-applying the sunless-tanning lotion every 4 to 10 days. If you are having the fake bake performed at a tanning salon, you may want to ask about package discounts that can save you money.
